Jan23: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has declined a request from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to shift Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup fixtures from India to Sri Lanka, reaffirming that the tournament will go ahead as scheduled at Indian venues.
The decision was taken during an ICC Board meeting held via video conference, convened specifically to assess concerns raised by the BCB regarding the safety of its players, officials, and supporters. After a detailed review, the ICC stated that no credible security threat exists at any of the tournament venues in India.
According to the ICC, the Board examined multiple security assessments, including independent evaluations, all of which concluded that adequate arrangements are in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all participating teams. The governing body emphasised that India remains fully capable of hosting the tournament in line with international security standards.
The ICC further noted that relocating matches under the current circumstances could compromise the integrity and sanctity of ICC events. Such a move, the Board observed, would also risk undermining the organisation’s neutrality as the global governing authority for cricket.
While Bangladesh had initially been given a deadline of January 21 to confirm its participation, the ICC Board has allowed an additional day for the BCB to communicate its final decision. The extension reflects the ICC’s intent to maintain dialogue while ensuring that tournament preparations remain on track.
Sources indicate that if Bangladesh ultimately opts out of the competition, Scotland may be considered as a replacement team, based on current international rankings. However, the ICC has not yet made any formal announcement regarding contingency plans.
The development comes at a crucial stage as teams finalise logistics and preparations for the T20 World Cup, one of cricket’s most-watched global events. The ICC reiterated its commitment to conducting the tournament in a secure, fair, and professional manner, ensuring equal treatment for all participating nations.
With the schedule unchanged, attention now turns to Bangladesh’s final stance and the broader implications for the tournament lineup in the days ahead.